Wuxi reading pavilions let citizens share literary favorites

Hu Shaoqun, a Wuxi resident, tries out his reading skills in the newly installed reading pavilion on Nanchangjie Street on May 17. [Photo/wxrb.com]

Attentive pedestrians in downtown Wuxi may have spotted a pair of reading pavilions on Nanchang Street and Guangrui Street in recent days. The spaces, equipped with professional recording devices and cameras, were set up on May 17 and allow people from all walks of life to record a three minute reading of their choice for the purpose of sharing the joy of literature.

Located in the city's Liangxi district, the reading pavilion is inspired by a popular TV program The Reader which is produced by CCTV and promotes a love of literature with participants recording their favorite poem, song, essay, or section of literature. The Reader later choses a selection of the recordings to air on the program.

One of the first Wuxi residents to make a recording was Hu Shaoqun who chose to record Maxim Gorky's The Song of the Stormy Petrel. The 60-year-old's powerful voice and musicality endeared him to the program's directors who chose his reading for the show.

"In this space I can read loudly, without the worry of interrupting others. I feel totally immersed in the atmosphere," Hu said.